Circular milling machine



H. c. RosE CIRCULAR MILLING MACHINE Mmh- 13, 192a originalFi'led June 16, 1917 4 sheets-sheet 1 WLM 4 Sheds-Sheet 2 How/d 6R06@ H. c. ROSE CIRCULAR MILLING MACHINE Original Filed June 15.. 1917 lHkllU/{Wl' 35 Hl H J7 la March 13', `1928.

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March 13, 1928.

. H. C. ROSE cmoULAR MILLING MACHINE original Filed June 16. 1917 4 sheets-sheet` 5 L4 /NVE/vnm Y Y bha/ard /Qase. h//T/va-.ss- 5) Match 13,'1928. Re. 16,903 H. c. RossA CIRCULAR MILLING MACHINE original Filed June '16, 1917 4 Sheets-'Sheet 4 v /M/w Tak /7'0 wand C/Pse TTY Reissued Mar. 13, 1928.

4UNITED STATES ,PATENT orFFi-ca;

HOWARD c. ROSE, or DETROIT, MICHIGAN, AssIGNoR 'To THE INGERsoLL MILLING MACHINE COMPANLOF RocxroRD, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

CIRCLAR-MILLING 'M'ACHINl original No. 1,421,03ojdatea :rune 27, 1922, serial No. 175,170, 'uned time 11e, 1917.

1 i `reissue 'led "May 19, 1923. Serial No. 640,231.

This invention .pertainsin general to the @art lolf milling machines, and has more particular 4reference Lto imachines of this `class .especially adapted for milling `or surfacing lflat faces.

Prior to my present invention .surfacing @milling machines have been equipped With L a plurality of rotatable surfacingcutt'ers k.beneath which the Work Was carried on va reciprocating Work carriage. The time necessarily consumed p. by the idlev travel of the Work carriage, however.,` so reduced the effective Working `time ofthe machines ythat ithey ywere unequal in many instances to the requirements imposed by modern e'liciency methods.

In this invention I .have aimed, primarily, to provide a surfacing milling machine which Will be especially adapted and `qualilied to accurately and expeditiouslyisurface :lar-ge number of" parts .and castings in a rshort time and at `a minimum cost.

In vfurtherance lof this general object I have devised `what might be termed a cir- `cular :milling machine. vIn other Words, a machine is provided in Which a Work holding unit anda cutter holding unit carrying, respectively, a plurality of circumferential- `ly arranged Work holdersand cutters, are rotatably mounted and operated so that the Work -andcutters travel continuously in ciricular paths, the Work being 'placed in position on the Work vunit ata loading station and ibeing surfaced by reason of relative `movement'between t-he cutters and work. In the present instance, this relative movement is securedvby `rotating the Work and cutter `units at different speeds but in such timed relation `that Work vmay be positioned on each -holder as it passes the loadingstation and `will be surfaced during its cycle or travel .about the machine and may be removed when said loading stat-ion is again reached. By this arrangement-"a series ofcastings may be Vsinnrltaneously and continuously Ioperated- `upon, asthey travel around the machine, and when each reaches the loading station in its travel ythe surfacing operation thereon has been completed so that the castings'may be successively `removed .and replaced by un surfaced castings. 1 f

These and other objects and `attendant Application. for

advantages will be apparent .as the inven- `tion becomes betterunderstood by reference to the vfollowing description when considered .connection lwith the accompanying drawings illustrating one practical embodiment .of :my invention, and in whichi Figure fl is La front elevation of a machine embodying my improvements, tonly one Aof .the cutter-.holding spindles 4being shown;

F y1g. 2 is a vertical sectional viewthrough the imachine in which a `portion of .the `drive `mechanism is shown diagrammatically..and the spindle at the left hand side of the ymach'ine is omitted; i,

Fig. 3 "s a side elevationof the drive mechanism, with its lhousing .in lver'ticalsection;

Fig. Il is a vertical sectional ,view through this drive mechanism taken substantially von the line L--t of Fig. 2; and y Figs. 5 andg are ,plan sectional views on reduced scales taken substantially on fthe 4lines 5 5 .and .6-6, respectively, of 2.

A general statement of the function .and operation of the particular maehineshown in the drawings as anillustration Aof one embodiment of my improvements will, I

believe, facilitate van understanding .ofthe invention.` Itspurpose is to surface or machine Aat a .mm1-mum cost ,flat faces .or surfaces of a large number 'of castings or parts, -such `for instance, :as the `cover `plate faces .of'transmission casings. In thepresent machine a constantly revolving lWork table carries a plurality of Work hold-ing devices `successively past .a loading and `unloading Astation at Whichieach finished or surfaced casing .or part lis removed and replacedfby `an, unsurfaced casing. eration is performed upon @each .casing Yas it is `carried in a circular path varound the machine from the loading ystation back :to the station again. A plurality of circum- -ferentially spaced, conc-entrically mounted revolving-cutters, one less in number than `the work holding devices, carriedr above `the Work table by a rotary` head preferably concentric With thevfork table, are moved as a unit in the same direction .as the Work table but yat a faster speed so that each casing iin ,its cycle of travel Will `be engaged by `a cutter just after leaving vthe loading The resurfacing .op-

the loading and unloading station being designatd 'as V'the "arc of'th'e "circumference nof the machine in which the cutters are disposed between the successive work holding devices and out..of engagement with the.

work. Thus the parts or casings are iinished in succession at regular, timed intervals, dependent upon the speeds at which the cutter'andwork holding units arenrotated and on t-he number of cutters and Worky holding devices employed, and while onel finished Vpart is being removed -and replaced by a new one the other vparts "arevin various `stages of rcompletion at various points around the machine. f

`Referring particularly to Fig. 2, a cirfcular base designated generally by reference character7f has formed integrally therewith anupstanding central column 8 about which va work table and a tool carrierV or-spindle head revolve. The horizontal wall 9 of the vbase isv provided lat its upper side with an annular bearing face 11 upon which slidably rests the base 12 Vof a spindle head holder. This base member 1-2, of the same general shape as the base 7, consists of a circular base portion slidable on the base as described, a horizontal wall 13 and a central vcolumn 14 having bearings at its upper and lower ends 15 and 16, respectively, onthe columnV 8.` The spindle head holder is, therefore,"A capable of rotationV upon the base 7`-around the central column 8 by which it is guided and steadied. u y

The spindle lhead holder in turn rotatably vvsupports a work tablefin substantially the .fsamemanner as said spindle head holder isy lsupported by the base 7. The work table or ywork carrying unit designated generally byv reference character 17 rests and is slidable'upon the annular face 18 on the top of the' wall 13 and has a central bearing 19 on i lthe column'14. A lock nut 21 threaded onto V.table 17 and the stationary lock n ut.

the. column 14 holds the work table and cutter head holder lagainst displacement. A washer 22 interposed between the lock nut and table and held against rotation by a lug 23 connecting the washer and column 14 eliminates friction between the rotating The work table is designed to carry a plurality of circumferentially spaced work holding devices of which there' are seven in the present instance. Only one ofthe work holding devices is illustrated (Fig. 2) and that is shown diagrammatically since it may be of any suitable or preferred construction and will in .mostV instances `be of special design for the particular work to be carried. It will be manifest, however, that the top of the va serrated face on the bushing'37.

work table is, as shown, adapted for carrying work at a plurality of circumferentially spaced points. j f

The cutting tools, carried above the work table and in the, present instance shown in the form of face plate cutters 24, are secured to the spindles" r'evlub'ly' mounted'in' a -spindle head, ortool carrying unit, designated generally by character 25, which seats upon the annular shoulder :of thevcolumn 14 and is fixedly secured thereto so that the column and head will rotate together. The spindle Yheadis preferably formed in two semi-circular sections divided vertically, as shown in Fig. 5, tie bolts being employed ,to rigidly bind the sectionsv together, and, together with the key 30", secure them to the 1 column 14.` The cutter-carrying spindles, of ordinarygemilling, machineV construction andfsixin lnumber, are equally spaced circumferentially f aboutv .the .head 25. vAs shown in Fig. 2, a spindle 26 is ournaled in and heldv against longitudinal movement with respect to acarrier 27 which is-,slidable longitudinally in a bore 28 in the head 25 and is provided with a rack 29 with which a pinion 31 mounted in the head 25 meshes. By rotating this pinion, the spindle, and consequently its cutter, may be adjusted toward and from the work.' The upper end ofthe spindle is splined in the hub of a gear head 25. A As shown in Fig. 5, the gears 32 of the several spindles, disposed at the top of the spindle head 25, mesh with the centralk drive gear 33 so that all the spindles will be driven simultaneously and Vat one and Vthe same speed by the one drive gear:

`The mechanism which drives the cutter `spindles through the medium of the central cured at its upper end to the drive gear 33 and at its lower end to al spur gear-'35. A drive shaft 36 is journaled directly'in the lower endiof the `sleeve'34 and'indirectly in its upper end through the intermediaryof a bushing37 to which the shaft is rigidly secured, said bushing having aA ball thrust bearing against the end of the sleeve 34. An electric motor 38 employed for driving the shaft 36, is' connected thereto through the: agency of a clutch including a serrated part 41 keyed tothe shaft 39 and engaging The motor is supported u on and carried by the 'head 25 by means of egs 42 detachably connected to said head so that the motor may be very easily removed from the machine Without removal of any of the driving parts. A top housing 43 secured to the spindle head 25 sor l32,A the hub beingV journaled inthe spindle lou incloses the gears at the top thereof. By arranging the motor in this manner, it is not necessary for any of the parts to project below the floor line, although it should be understood that the invention contemplates any suitable form of drive. Upon the lower end of the shaft 36 is fixed a spur pinion 44 which meshes with a spur gear rigidly secured to the hub of a pinion 46 loosely journaled on a fixed stub shaft 47, the pinion 46 being in mesh with gear 35. By means of the drive mechanism thus far described the cutter spindles may be driven in unison through the shraft 36, gears 44, 45,46 and 35, the sleeve 34`and the central drive gear 33.

Mechanism driven from that just described for revolving the work table and tool carrier in the same direction, but at relatively different speeds, will now be described, reference being had particularly'to Figs. 3 and 4. A spur gear48 meshing with the gear 45 is fixed to a bevel gear 49 loose on the stub shaft 51. The gear 49 meshes with a bevel gear 52 loose on a shaft 53 journaled in bearings 54 of a gear-supporting bracket designated generally by refer ence character 55 secured by means of bolts 56 to a side of the base 7. VA manually controlled clutch for connecting the bevel gear 52, which is constantly driven, to the shaft 53, consists of a collar 57 sphned to the shaft 53 and having a serrated face 58 engageable with a corresponding face of the gear 52, a yoke 59 secured to the rock shaft 61 and connected to trunnions on the collar 57, and a hand lever 62 fixed to the outer end of the shaft 61., adapted to be operated to engage and disengage the clutch. A shaft 63 journaled in the bracket 55 above the shaft 53 and in tangential relation to the base member 12 is connected with the shaft 53 through the intermediary of transposing orv change-speed spur gears 64 and in turn drives a shaft 65 journaled in the bracket 55 above the shaft 63 through the agency of spur gears 66, arranged to drive the shaft 65 in the same direction as the shaft 63. lVorm gears 67 and 66 fixed to the shafts 63 and 65 mesh with worm gears 69 and 7l rigidly secured, respectively, to the base member 12 and the work table 17, as shown clearly in Figs. 2 and 4.

By reason of the foregoing` construction, when the clutch element 57 is engaged as shown, the work table and tool carrier will be revolved in the same direction about a common axis, It may `be assumed that the work table and tool carrier are rev-olved in a clockwise direction, viewing Figs. `5 and 6, andas a consequence, the cutter-holding spindles will be likewise revolved ontheir respective axes in a clockwise direction. The work table and tool carrier do not, however, revolve atthe same rate of speed, as one travels faster than the other so as to cause a relative movement between the work holding devices and the cutters which results in performance of the surfacing operations. For this purpose the worm gear connections 611-69 and 68-71 are of different relative ratios. under the present arrangement the work table being revolved slower than the tool carrier. The speed of the cutter spindles and the relative speeds of the. work. table and tool carrier depend, of course, on the nature of the particular work to be machined, it being understood that the relative speeds of the part-s mentioned may be such as is best suited for the work, the changes being made by changes in the gear train at different places in` the machine and in the speed of the main drive shaft.

For illustration, the machine shown has been designed particularly to surface a cover plate 72 of a transmission casing 7 3, the work table being constructed to carry seven workholding devices and six cutters'being employed for the surfacing operation. Then the motor shaft is driven 650 R. P. M., the cutters will be revolved at 29 R. l?. M., the spindle or tool carrier .at 2R. P. M., and the work holding table at 6/'7 of the speed of the spindle head. It follows, therefore, that during one revolution of the spindle head a given cutter will gain with respect toa given work holderl/T of airevolution or the distance between centers of two'ad'a-v cent work-holding devices. By reason of this relative movement, the surfacing operation is performed and atone port-ion of the cycle of the work one of the cutters is `for a certain period moving idly between two workholdingdevices, this arc of its travel being termed a loading and unloading station. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, it will be seen that the cutter carried by the spindle A is disposed directly above the point A on the work table centrally intermediate two adjacent work-holding devices. Assumingthat the `itool carrier and work table are being revolved-in the manner described, the cutter A has left the work on the holder B and is advancing to meet the work on the holder B. rIhe distance traveled by the cutterv A from the time that it leaves thework at the holder B until it engages the work on the next preceding holder B is termed the loading and unloading station. A casing or part to be surfaced having been mounted on the holder at B after the cutter precedingl the cutter A has left said holderB, the cutter A will as a result of the relative movement between the work table and the tools advance on the casing carried by the holder B', gradually feed across the casing during its cycle and will leave the casing when the loading station mentioned is reached. Thus, when the cut-ter A again reaches the point A the Work holder B will only have reached by the cutter next following the cutter A.

Since the Work table and spindle head are continuously revolved in this manner, a finished part will be removed lfrom the machine at every1/6 of a revolution of the spindle head, consequently since the latter revolves at 2 R. P. M. .six parts will be finished vduring every two minutes. According to this gear ratio and the arrangement of the Work holders and cutter spindles, the loading and unloading will 'occur at a. permanent point with respect to the base of the machine. Should the speed of rotation be changed so that the Work holders and cutter spindles are .not revolved in the specific relative .relation above described, the loading station will advance or recede, as-the-case may be, around thebase. l

A .suitable housing designated by 74 may 'be 'provided for the gearing at the side of the machine and the Worm gears vmay be enclosed by a housing '75. .A chip ledge 76 secured to the Work table, carries the chips .to a point at which they are removed by means, not shown, and a guard 77 Which may extend substantially .entirely around the Work table is mounted on the gear housingl and .serves to protect the operator from the revolving Itable and -chip ledge and to Aprevent `chips from fallingV therefrom. i

From v.the foregoing it will be manifest that my invention comprehends an upright circular milling machine 'characterized 'by a base having an upstanding central 'column about Which a Work ltable iis adapted -to rotate and Which serves v'to carryoverhead cutter spindles, and suitable mechanism for rotating the spindles and for producing relative, continuous, vrota-.ry movement between 4the Work table and spindles, whereby to per-form surface `milling `operations on Work-pieces on ithe 'Worlk table and to secure comparatively high production in this classfof Work considering the fsmall floor space `occupied by the machine.

In the present illustration'otf my invent-ion., the relative movement between the spindles and Work table'for performing said milling operation is obtained by rotative movement of both the spindle holder and .the work table at different speeds about-the central column; but, obviously, .my invention in its broader scope is not confined to such operation since 'the relative continuous operation'referred to may `be obtained lby rotation ofthe spindle holder, or vthe *Work table, or both. l

It is ybelieved 'that the foregoing .conveys a lclearunderstanding ofthe principles of mp0s my invention :and of .the 'objectsipreafaced above; and Ait should be understood that While I have .illustrated vbut one yembodiment oef my improvements, various :changes in lthe construction and design might be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended clalims. i c

I -claimz 1. A icircular milling machine comprising a Work canrier and a Itool carrier revolubly mounted and respectively equipped with .a plurality of circumferentially arranged Work holders and milling tools, and mechanism for 'continuously revilving the Work and tool carriers and for causing7 by such revolving imovement, .a relative movement in the plane `of rotation between .the Work and` A circular :milling machine lcomprising a Work carrier and a Atool carrier -revolubly mounted and respectively equipped with a plurality ofcircumferentially arranged Work holders and cutter spindles and lmechanism for :continuously revolving vthe Work :and tool carriers at relatively different speeds; a A circular milling machine comprising a `vvorkca-rrier and :a tool carrier respectively vequipped circumferentiallyl with WorkY holders and vtool carrying spindles, and mechanism for relatively moving the spindles .and Work to cause the .latter to be operated upon by the tools and vfor simultaneously 'revolving the Work and tool .carriers yduring'said 'operation to successively move the Work holders to alnd from a loading .stat-ion.

4. vA'circular milling machine comprising a pluralit of lcircumferentially arranged Work `holdbrs' and .milling cutters, the Tlatter of which are adapted to surface in .a

common .plane =the Work'carried Vby the work.

loading station and to allow certainof -the milling cutters to operate'on'the Work While said units are being revolved. f

v5. rThe combinationof-a base member provided With =a central 'upstanding -column and revoluble about fthe longiti'idina'l axis 'of said column, a Work carrier revoluble upon said base member andabout said column .and equipped with circumferentially arranged- Work holders, fa tool carrier lixedto said column above the Work carrier and `equipped with circumferentially arranged tool carriers, and 1mechanism :for revolving the base member and Workfcarrier at different speeds While the tools ofthe tool carrier are'operating-on the work. v

y6. A circular milling machine comprising a revoluble work carrier circumferentially equipped with a .plurality of work holders,

lne

upright column .passing substantially centrally through the Work carrier, va* toolcarfrierixed to the column above the Work 'cariiei1aiid circuinferentially equipped vvith a plurality of cutter spindles having mill- .ing cutters, and mechanism for revolving i the work carrier .and said tool .carriercolumn in the saine directionand at relatively ld'ifferent speeds to effect continuous and simultaneous milling by a kplurality of cutters .i in the plane of rotation. n y x `7. A circular milling machine comprising a revoluble work carrier anda tool carrier equipped respectively with a relatively different number of work holders vand cutter spindles, and mechanism` for so revolving the Woik and tool carriers Ithat When each cutter spindle passes a. .given 'station it. will be out of operative cutting relation to the adjacent Work holders.

.8. Acircular milling machinecomprising a ievoluble Work carrier and a tool carrier respectively equippedcircumferentially with a plurality of Work holdersiand cutter spindles, and mechanisin'for continuously revolv- `ingl the `Worlrand tool carriers at relatively different speeds so that a plurality of cutting operations will be simultaneously performed during each rotation i and. the Worlr holders and spindles will fbe successively vmoved past a given loading Lstation at vvvhich each'cutter spindle is out of operative cuttingr'elation `to the adjacentwork holders.

9. In a circulaijmilling. machine, the coinhination of a revoluble Work carrier and a *tool `carrier equipped respectively'with aldif- `ferent number of Worlrholders andcutter spindles, and means f for revolving lthe Work and toolcarricrs in the same directionat' such relatively diffe-rent" speeds as to v.cause agiven cutter spindle to .gain with. respect to agiven Work holderduring one revolution of the `tool carrier, approximately the ydistance between the Ymedialline oftWo adjacent Work-holders. l

A10. In a machine of= the character .described, the combination of ay Worlccarrier and a tool carrier concentrically. and rotatably mounted one above the other and equipped With a' plurality of circumferential- `ly arranged Work holders and cutterholding spindles, the Work holders and. spindles heing unequal in num-ber, andl means `for revolving the Work and tool carriersin the same .l direction at suchdifferent. speeds as to. cause the worklioldersand eut-ters to be relatively i moved to effect the cutting operation andv to cause each Worlrliolder `as it passes a. given station to move free .fromandintermediate two adjoining cutters soas toallovv Work to be removed Vfrom and mounted on the Work holder. y

llivln a circular inillingimachinepthe combinati on. of.

vier ...istanti-ally cci-axial.ly=and revoliiliiy a fivork. carrier and .al tool earmounted one abovethe other. .and-equipped respectively with aplurality of circumferentially arranged Work holders and cuttercarryingspindles, and meansfor revolving said iWork and tool carrier.simultaneously in4 tlie Asaine direction 4.rand .at such ldifferent `speeds asto cause each/Work holder tobe freefat agiven station to allow Work` to be i'emove'dfromand mounted on 4said Work carrier.

l2 In a circular milling machine, the combination of a revoluble tool carrier andwork carrier equipped respectively Withaplurality of circuinfere'ntially arranged cuttercarrying spindles and Work holders arranged so that the work will be carried in the. path of the cutters,.and means ,for simultaneously revolving tlietool and Work ,carriers in the same direction at different speeds whereby lthrough difference in speed of 'the tool ...and -vvork carriers the cutting operationfw'ill be performed.

13. The combination of al basaba-ving a 'central 'uprightcoluinm a .Work table -revoluble about ysaid column, a tool carrier super--A imposed above the Work table and revoluble 4about said column, cutter spindles and Work holders respectively mounted 'on the.tool carrier and Work' table so'that thetiiiters and yWork may travel in intersecting paftlisy.

and mechanism for relatively.- rotating. the

Work table and" tool carrier during which movement surface cutting in a common plane may be performed on Work on-a plurality of the Work holders.

. '14. A circular milling machine, comprising a plurality of circumferentiallyarranged vcutter v.spindles and Work holders `revoluble about a Y substantially common axis, Land mechanism for simultaneously revolvingsaid cutter `spindles .and Work -holders as separate .units about said. axis in the same'- .direction :incidingA with that. of., the Work. .holders but 1.6.. A circular .millingmachine :comprising a `constantly revolving. .Work table .c arr ing. a plurality of. circumferentiallyi arrange .Work

holders rwhich ,as Ythe table ,revolves are.

successively carried past a loading andamloading, station, and. a constantly revolving tool carrierequipped .with .a .plurality of surface.. millingi cutters, one. less'. .innumber vthanthe lWork holders,4 and .travelingiinaa circularpath @coinciding .Withthe path ofthe yWork 4li'ilders and... in` the; same direction.: .and ata3 faster speed. than...the workheldeijsso that eachv ofthe .cutters tbutv oneiiithe. vi 'nsf as .leading @aanname 'aaien ein be in substantially continuous operative relation to one of the work holders.

17. In a circular milling machine, a plurality of work holders constantly traveling ina circular path, a portion of which constitutes aloading and unloading station, a plurality of surface milling cfutters constantly traveling in a circular path and past said station, the work holders and milling cutters while traveling in their respective circular paths being given ya feed movement relatively to each other in a plane parallel with the plane of rotation,'such feed movement being so timed that the work on each `work holder will be continuously surfaced by a milling cutter while traveling said circular path from substantially the time the work leaves the loading station until it approaches within proximity to said station.

'-18. In a circular milling machine, a rotary work holding unit and a. rotary cutter holding unit equipped respectively with a. plurality of circumferentially arranged work holders and cutter spindles and mounted so that the work and spindles travel in coincident circular paths, and mechanism for revolving the work and cutter holding units continuously in the same direction and at different speeds so that a plurality of cutters will be continuously in operation on the work and the work holders are successively moved pasta loading station and free from `,the cutters.

19. In a circular milling machine, a Work table adapted to revolve about a cent-ral axis and kequipped with a plurality of circumferentially arranged work holders, each adapted to carry its work in fixed relation to the work table, a tool carrying unit equipped with a plurality of circumferentially arranged cutter spindles each having a face plate milling cutter, the tool carrying unit being mounted to revolve about an axis within the circular path of the work holders so that the milling cutters will travel in a circular path intersecting that of the work,

the milling cutters being set to surface in a'V common plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tool carrying unit, and means for continuously revolving the work vtable and tool carrying unit in the same direction butV at different speeds whereby a plurality of cutters will be in continuous surfacing operation and the work will be successively completed and carried to an unloading station.

20. A circular milling machine comprising a plurality of work holdersv and cutter spindles mounted' to travel in co-a-Xial circular paths and each cutter spindle equipped ,with a face milling cutter, and driving lmechanismv for simultaneously and continuously revolving the work holders and spindles about said axis at different speeds whereby a 4plurality of cutters will simultaneously operate on their respective work and the cutters will successively complete their cutting operations and be advanced to operate on the work carried by the next preceding work holder.

21. A circular milling machine comprising a base member having a central upright column and mounted to revolve about the axis of said column, a work table mounted on the base member to revolve about its central column and equipped with a pluralityof circumferentially spaced work holders, a. tool carrier fixed to the central column above the `work table and equipped with a plurality of vertical cutter spindles, worm gea-rs fixed to the base member and the work table respectively,v and gearing for driving the worm gears simultaneously in the same direction and at different speeds. l

22. A circular milling machine comprising a work table mounted to revolve about a. central vertical axis and equipped with a plurality of circumferentially spaced work holders, a tool carrier above and co-axial with the work table and equipped with a plurality of circumferentially yspaced vertical cutter spindles, a face plate milling cutter attached to the lower end of each spindle, the cutters being set to surface in a common plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of t-he tool carrier, and mechanism for simultaneously revolving the work table and tool carrier aboutvsaid vcentral axis and at relatively different speeds.

23. In a circular milling machine, the combination of a work table equipped with a plurality of circumferentially spaced Work holders and mounted to revolveabout a central axis, a tool carrier equipped with a plurality of circumferentially arranged .milling cutters and mounted to revolve about a central axis so that the milling cutters travel in a circular path intersecting the circular path of the work, means for revolving the cutters, and means for continuously revolving the work table and tool carrier at different speeds for effecting a. relative feed movement between the cutters and work in a'plane parallel with'the plane of rotation thereof.

24.' In a circular millingA machine, a Work vtable and a-tool carrier co-axi'ally mounted luble about Itheupright column of the base member, a Work table revolublly mounted upon the supplemental base member and about its central' colu1nn,'a=tool carrier mounted upon the central columnv or? the supplemental base member above the Work table. and equipped* with a plurality ot circumferentially spaced vertical cutterv spindles, and mechanism forl revolving the supplemental base member and the Work table relatively to each other.

26. A machine of the character described comprising a base havingA a rigid central upright column, a supplemental base. mem.- berfifevolullly mounted upon the base member' and having a central upright column revoluble about the upright column ot' the base member, a Work table revolubly mounted upon the supplemental base member and about its central i column, a tool carrier mounted upon the centr-.il column of the supplemental base member above the Work table and equipped with a plurality of circumterentially spaced" vertical cutter spindles, a motor mounted on the tool carrier with its driving shaft co-aXial therewith, a central gear driveniby the driving shaft of the motor and having a gea-ring connection with the cutter spindles, a shait extending axially through the central column of the base member and driven from the motor shait,.and-` mechanism. dri-ven from the lower end of' saidi central shaft for revolving the supplemental base member and the Work table rela-tively toeachy other.

27. A machine ofthe character described comprising a: base member having a rigid central upright column, a. supplcmentalbase member revol'ubly mounted upon the base member andv having a central upright column revoluble about the upright column. of the base' member, a` work table revoluble upon` the s-uppl'en'iental base member and about its ccntralf column, a. tool carrier mounted uponi the central` column ot the supplemental base member abovetlhe work table and equipped with av plurality of circumferentially spaced vertical cutter spindles, a mo-r tor mounted on the tool carrier with its driving shatco-axial with the same, a shaft driven from the driving shattot the motor and extending dovvn through the central column of the base member, and a driving' connection between the lower end of said shaft and the supplemental base member and the Work table for revolving the same.

28. A machine of the character described comprising a base having av rigid central upright' column, a supplemental' base memF ber revolubly mountedk upon the base mem'- ber andi having' a central upright column revoluble about the upright column of the base member, a Work table revolubly mounted upon the supplemental base member and about 1 its central column, a tool carrier mounted upon the `central column.` etl the sup'plel'nentaly base member above the work table'- 'and equippedl with a plurality ofv circumterentially' spaced` verticall cutter spin'- d'lcs-T separatel worm; gears., circumscribing and fixed' to the supplemental base* member and the Work table respectively, andA driving mechanism for revolving i said:` Worm gears.

29. volving Work table haiving'a plurality ot Work holderstraveling.in a circular path, and a constantly revolving tool carrier having a pluralityot' milling cutters traveling inthe same direction and;r in a circularI path coins cident with that ot the Work holders, the Work holders and milling cutters being un.- equal in number and the relativ'ef speeds thereoil being so timed that the work. holders will successively pass al loading and unload ing station at whichy the adjacent milling cutters will' be out of operative relation to the Work'liolrler' at such station and' a plus rality ot the remaining milling cutters will be simultaneously in milling operation..v

30. In a milling` `machine, a plurality of Work holders' and. tool spindles continuously traveling in the same dircctionin coincident circular paths but at relatively different speeds, whereby a progressive movement in aplane parallel WithV the plane of rotation is effected between the too spindles andrvvork holders, constituting the eedvmovement. i

31. `In a.t circular milling'm'achinea.` rotary Work table and a rotary tool carrier substantifally coaxial and? equippedv respectively with a plurality of circumferentially arranged Work holders and cutter spindles, there being one less cutter spindle than Work holder, and mechanism: for simultaneously and continuouslyrevolving the Work table and tool carrier in the same direction at such relative speeds that during oneL revolution ot' the tool' carrier ak given spindle will gain with respect to a given work holder a distance equal to substantially that betweenl the centers ot twoadj'acent Work holders.

32. A circular milling machine comprising a plurality ot Work holders and cutter spindles continuously traveling in the same direction in' circular paths at relatively ditferent speeds so that a plurality of the cutters Will continuously'mill the Work on a plurality of Work holders and each cutter will be successively carried through an idle period known as a loading and unloading station between twov adjacent Work holders.

33. In a machine ot the character described,thecombinatiomofia Work table and a tool carrier respectively equipped'. with circumterentially spaced; Work: h old ers and tool spindles, and mechanism for revolving the Work table: and. t'ool carrier for causing by such rotation the holder-s and spindles to move relatively' in a cutting operation.

34. In: a machine of the character de- LIn a milling machine,- a constantly rc1 scribed, the combination of aplurality of circumferentially spaced toolspindles and Work holders, and mechanism for moving thespindles and work holders as units to successively carry the work and tools past a loading station and for causing the work and tools to move relatively in a plane parallel with the plane of travelto perform the cutting operation.

35. A circular milling machine comprising cutter s indles and work holders mounted in circum erentially spaced relation, and mechanism for moving the spindles and work holders through a substantially circular path for effecting a feed movement between the cutter spindles and work holders during such travel.` l

.36. In a lmachine of the character described, the Combination of a work table and a tool carrier substantially concentrically mounted and respectively equipped with circumferentially spaced work holders and tool spindles, a motor concentric with said work table and tool carrier, and mechanism operated by the motor for moving both the work table and tool carrier and relatively to each other.

37. In amachine of the character described, the combination of a work table, a toolvcarrier and a motor all concentrically disposed, and mechanism operated by the motor for revolving the Work table and tool carrier about their common aXis at different relative speeds.

38. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a work table Vrespectively equipped with a plurality of circumferentially arranged work holder-s and tools, theV latter .carrier being revolubly mounted, and mechanism for continuously revolving said Carrier whereby to have the tools operate on the work.

40. A machine as set forth in claim 39 wherein the tools are oneJ less in number than the work holders.

41. A circular milling machine comprising avvork carrier and a. tool carrier, the former providing places thereon for mounting work in'circumferentially spaced relation and the latter having milling tools rotatably mounted thereon, the latter being revolubly mounted, and mechanism for driving the tools and for 'simultaneously revolving the tool carrier. Y f

42. In a machine of the 'character described, the combination with a base member provided with al central upstanding column, a work carrier on said base member vdriving connection with the mechanism provided for that purpose, all of said spindles being arranged to be adjusted so that the tools thereof operate in a common plane. f

44. A circular machine of the character described comprising a base member provided with a central upstanding column, a. work carrier onsaid base arranged to support work in circumferentially spaced relation about the column, a tool carrier on the column equipped with circumferentially arranged tool carrying spindles, and a central drive shaft in the column for communicating drive to the spindles and simultaneously revolving the tool carrier, said shaft having a central gear turning therewith, and said spindles having gears for driving the ame driven by the central gear, the tool carrier having a reduction driving connection with said shaft.

45. A machine as set forth in claim 44 wherein an electric motor is mounted on top of the column and directly connected with the upper end of the drive shaft, the tool carrier having a part arranged to turn therewith extended to the base, and means in said base' between the lower end of. said drive shaft andthe aforesaid part providing the reduction driving connection for the tool carrier with the shaft.

46. A circular machiney of the character described comprising a base member having a central upright column and mounted to revolve about the axis of said column, a. work table arranged to have work mounted thereon in circumferentially spaced relation about the column, a tool carrier iXed to the central column above the work table and equipped with a plurality of vertical cutter spindles, a worm gear fixed to the base member, and means having a driving connection with the cutter spindles and with the worm gear for simultaneously driving the spindles and turning the tool carrier.

47. In a machine of the character described, Vthe combination of a work table and a tool carrier substantially concentrically mounted and respectively equipped with circumferentially spaced Work holders and tool spindles, a motor concentric with said work table and tool carrier, and mechanism operated by the motor for moving the tool carrier relative to the work table.

'48. In a machine of the'character described, the combina-tion of a worktable,

lll() tial speeds so that the work holders are brought repeatedly to their loading station, the tool carrier having a number of tool carrying spindles as many less than the number of Work holders on the Work carrier as there are loading stations for the machine.

50. A circular machine of the character described comprising a Work carrier and a tool carrierrevolubly mounted and respectively equipped with a plurality of circumferentially arranged Work holders and tool carrying spindles, and mechanism for continuously revolving the carriers at differential speeds whereby to cause a relative feed movement between the tool spindles and the Work holders to perform an operation on the Work, the amount of turning of one of the carriers required to complete the aforesaid operation so that a Work holder arrives at a loading and unloading station being inversely proportional to the number of load ing stations provided for the machine.

yi-IOWARD c. Rosie. 

